Seongsan Ilchulbong

A great place, UNESCO world heritage that we can get a relaxing ocean view, volcanic island experience. If you arrived before 2.00 p.m. you can watch the traditional dive women ( Haenyo) performance.

Terrific views of the coastline as well as Hallasan. Majestic scenery as the light hits at certain angles. A manageable hike up to the summit is well worth seeing the crater and the open sea.

The walk up to the summit can be tiring, but it is easy to manage with plenty of rest points along the way. Complete the walk by sunset to get amazing views at golden hour.

Seongsan Ilchulbong, or Sunrise Peak, is one of Jeju’s most iconic natural landmarks, famous for its dramatic volcanic tuff cone and the stunning panoramic views from the summit. The climb is relatively short but can be steep in sections, with well-maintained stone steps and handrails making it manageable for most visitors, though it can get crowded, especially at sunrise or peak tourist season. From the top, you can see the crater, rolling green slopes, the surrounding coastline, and the sparkling blue ocean, offering excellent photo opportunities and a sense of Jeju’s unique volcanic landscape. The base area has parking, restrooms, small cafes, and souvenir shops, and there are coastal walking paths and viewpoints around the area, making it easy to explore without needing to climb if you prefer. The sunrise experience is particularly spectacular, giving the peak its name, but even daytime visits provide breathtaking scenery. That said, beyond the climb and the views, there isn’t a lot else to do, and the site can feel very touristy at times, with lots of people taking photos and walking around. Overall, Seongsan Ilchulbong is a must-see for first-time visitors to Jeju, offering a short but highly rewarding hike, iconic landscapes, and an unforgettable perspective of the island’s natural beauty, though it’s best to visit early or off-peak to fully enjoy it.

Wonderful walk with great views. I climbed up and down in 20 minutes. (Fast walker)

There’s an entry ticket 🎫 to climb the summit. It’s bit tiring but there are multiple rest points, washrooms on the way. The weather was extremely hot so it became bit difficult 😞 to climb but once you reach the top, tge view is totally 💯 worth it! This peak is actually called the centre of Jeju which divides it in 2 parts. Definitely recommended but do carry sunglasses 🕶️ and pther heat protectant 👍🏻

Tickets cost 5,000 ₩ per adult to reach the summit, which is about 400 steps up. The climb is worth it—the view is stunning, and you can even spot Hallasan in the distance! I wouldn’t have guessed Seongsan Ilchulbong is a volcanic crater if I hadn’t read about it, since its slopes are now covered in lush green vegetation, giving it a grassy appearance. On the way down, the Haenyeo divers weren’t working due to rough waters, but I still managed to run into one!

We checked in the Coop City Hotel the night before and climbed the Seongsan Ilchulbong the following morning after having a leisurely breakfast buffet. We are not early risers and did not try to catch the sunrise which was probably blocked by the October early morning clouds. The ticket to go up was KRW5000 pp. You have the option to go down towards the beach for free. It is a long climb with lots of stairs, but it is worth it. Every once in a while, we would take a break to admire and take photos of the view. The view only gets better as you go higher. And we had perfect late morning weather, sunny with a cool breeze. It was very rewarding to reach the summit and admire the views of the town, ocean and crater. The summit has lots of wood steps for sitting and relaxing. October is not too crowded. You go down using a different set of stairs. The view is as good going down as it was going up. I usually find going down tougher on my knees, but this descent was pretty easy and fast. I think the pitch of the steps matched my stride length. Once we got to the bottom, we headed down to the beach to admire the waves and view of the Ilchulbong from sea level. The water was too rough for divers, but there were ladies selling raw shellfish which we passed on. I would definitely recommend Seongsan Ilchulbong if you are physically capable of handling the climb. It was one of the highlights of our 4-night Jeju trip. Note: there is a defibrillator and a toilet partway up the climb. Also, if you are pregnant, you will have priority car parking spaces marked in pink paint, closest to the ticket office. LOL.